First flying on 4 January 1952, and initially envisaged as a turboprop-powered derivative of the AJ Savage., the North American XA2J Super Savage developed into a larger and faster aircraft. Unfortunately the complexity of the proposed engines and their associated gearbox to drive the contra-rotating propellers proved unreliable. In addition, the rival Douglas XA3D Skywarrior which first flew on first flew in October 1952 had a superior performance. Of the two prototypes ordered, only the first was completed before the program was terminated.
North American XA2J Super SavageNorth American XA2J Super SavageNorth American XA2J Super SavageNorth American XA2J Super SavageNorth American XA2J Super SavageNorth American XA2J Super SavageNorth American XA2J Super SavageNorth American XA2J Super SavageNorth American XA2J Super SavageNorth American XA2J Super Savage with folded wings
The Horten Ho 229 was a German fighter-bomber flying wing developed during the Second World War. At one stage 100 had been ordered, although this was later reduced to 20 and none were delivered to the Luftwaffe.
The first prototype, the Horten H.IX V1 was an unpowered glider first flew on 1 March 1944. Flight tests were favorable and the project progressed to the powered V2 which flew on 2 February 1945 powered by two Junkers Jumo 004 turbo-jets. As the Horten Brothers lacked sufficient production facilities, design responsibility was moved to Gothaer Waggonfabrik (hence it is sometimes referred to as the Gotha Go 229). After a design review by Gotha the V2 incorporated several changes, including adding a simple ejection seat, a substantially redesigned undercarriage to enable a higher gross weight, changes to the engine intakes, and added ducting to air-cool the jet engine’s outer casing to prevent damage to adjacent wood.
On 18 February 1945, the V2 crashed after suffering an engine fire. The pilot, Leutnant Erwin Ziller died later from his injuries.
The Horten Ho 229 V3 was intended as a template for the Ho 229 A-0 day fighter, of which 20 were on order. Larger than the V2, it was powered by two Jumo 004C engines, each with 10% greater thrust than the earlier Jumo 004B engine used for the Messerschmitt Me 262A and Arado Ar 234B, and was armed with two MK 108 30 mm cannons in the wing roots.
In April 1945, the US Third Army captured the Gothaer Waggonfabrik (Gotha) in Friedrichroda, western Thuringia along with four Horten prototypes and a Horten glider. The V3 was sent to the United States for evaluation, while the skinless centre section of the V4 with its engines and most of the systems installed, and the steel frame of the centre section of the V5 were later scrapped.
Horten Ho 229 V-3 with wings reattached while under US controlHorten Ho 229 V-3Horten Ho 229 V-3Horten Ho 229 V-3Horten Ho 229 V-3Horten Ho 229 V-3Horten Ho 229 V-3Horten Ho 229 V-3 showing the jet air intakesUnloading of the captured Horten Ho 229 V3 from a train by US militaryHorten Ho 229 V-3 cockpitHorten Ho 229 V-3 cockpitHorten Ho 229 V-3 cockpit looking aftHorten Ho 229 V3 undercarriageHorten Ho 229 V3 undercarriageHorten Ho 229 V3 undercarriage
Horten Ho 229 V4
Forward section of the Horten Ho 229 V-4 was captured on 14 May1945 by the VIII. Corps of the 3rd US ArmyHorten Ho 229 V-4 was captured on 14 May1945 by the VIII. Corps of the 3rd US Army
Horten Ho 229 V5
Horten Ho 229 V-5 was captured on 14 May1945 by the VIII. Corps of the 3rd US Army
First flying on 8 September 1939 as the Vultee Model V-48, the P-66 was originally ordered by Sweden, but an arms embargo diverted them to the United States Army Air Forces.
The initial prototype had an aerodynamic pointed spinner, however after being damaged in a landing accident it was rebuilt with a conventional spinner. This was subsequently used on all future production aircraft.
Sweden ordered 144 V-48C fighters, the a US arms embargo resulted in none being delivered. The USAAF took possession of around 50 aircraft which were used as advanced fighter trainers. With a tendency to ground loop, 25 were lost in accidents.
Britain acquired 100 P-66 Vanguard Mk.I fighters, intending to used them as advanced trainers in Canada. However after evaluation they were passed on the China.
Around 104 P-66s were sent to China from British and US stocks. Aircraft were assembled in Karachi and then flown to China. Several were lost on their delivery flight and others deemed unairworthy abandoned in India.
Outclassed by Japanese fighters they were largely replaced by Curtiss P-40s in 1943.
Vultee Model 48 VanguardThe first prototype of the Vultee Model 48 VanguardThe first prototype of the Vultee Model 48 VanguardThe first prototype of the Vultee Model 48 VanguardVultee Model 48 VanguardThe first prototype of the Vultee Model 48 VanguardThe first prototype of the Vultee Model 48 VanguardThe first prototype of the Vultee Model 48 VanguardThe first prototype of the Vultee Model 48 VanguardThe second prototype of the Vultee Model 48 VanguardThe second prototype of the Vultee Model 48 VanguardThe second prototype of the Vultee Model 48 VanguardThe second prototype of the Vultee Model 48 Vanguard
Internal Structure
Vultee Model V-48 internal structureVultee Model V-48 internal structure. Note Swedish MarkingsVultee Model V-48 internal structure. Note Swedish MarkingsVultee P-66 Vanguard internal structure
In Chinese Service
Vultee P-66 Vanguard line drawingVultee P-66 Vanguard ready for delivery to ChinaVultee P-66 Vanguard Karachi Airfield in India on October 25,1942 ready for delivery to ChinaVultee P-66 Vanguard of the Chinese Nationalist Air Force American Volunteer Group undergoing maintenanceVultee P-66 Vanguard of the Chinese Nationalist Air Force
In British Service
Vultee Vanguard Mk.I BW209 undergoing British evaluationVultee Vanguard Mk.I BW209 undergoing British evaluationVultee Vanguard Mk.I BW209 undergoing British evaluation
In US Service
Vultee P-66 Vanguard in US markingsVultee P-66 Vanguard in US markingsVultee P-66 Vanguard in US markingsVultee P-66 Vanguard in US markingsVultee P-66 Vanguard in US markingsVultee P-66 Vanguard in US markingsVultee P-66 Vanguard in US markingsVultee P-66 Vanguard in US markings after a landing accidentVultee P-66 Vanguard in US markings after suffering a crash landing
